KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

trying to decide what to buy... so i thought i might appeal to my thirdgen bretheren...

what you buy???

#1 1987 Iroc.. 355 TPI crane cam, edelbrock headers, 3" flow master system, 88k original miles, hard top, 5 speed, blue in color, ported heads, rear disk breaks, 3:42's, Eibach pro kit, adjst panhard bar, bilstein shocks

OR

#2 1996 Trans-Am LT1, white, hard top, 6 speed, 70k miles, grey leather, pretty much stock

both are in my local area.. both are selling for $4,500 ...

on one had i love the thirdgen style... the other i like the LT1 body of the trans-am and its more comfortable.

what to do... wife says she doesnt care what i buy... thats a +++

Edit: attached picture of said Iroc

HankL69

iTrader: (1)

Buy both, drive each for a while, sell the one you like least.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

that would be great if i had 9k laying around...

i think i can get either for 4k.. both have been listed for over a month and are still available..

Blown84Bird

3rd Gen. Only reason to get a 4th Gen is ls1 not LT 1

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

good call.. had the LS1, great car.. not sure if i want to dabble with the dreaded opti-spark

thanks

juanillox8

iTrader: (7)

i agree with blown 84^^^^^^^^^^^^

Blown84Bird

No prob.

Jon92TA

Has the 5spd in the IROC been beefed up to handle the 355's torque? If not you may want to figure that into your budget.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

yeah i have a source for a T56 from an LT1.. is that the correct T56 for the TPI?

chevysquid

iTrader: (7)

Think I would go with the Trans Am.

XxFormula87xX

I say The Camaro. I personally don't like any 93-97 f-bodies though. Plus I hear nothing but bad things about LT1s. but either way

KNBlazer

well... if you are going to have to have emissions testing, I would ask for a smog test report... you don't want to buy a car then find out that you will have to drop another thousand to make it emissions compliant...

Jason89RS

iTrader: (2)

I'd go for the Iroc....if the 4th gen was an LS1 then I would go for that one. Personally I like the looks of the 3rd gens any day though.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

no emissions, just safety check... it will be registered here in UT.. but i will be bringing it back to socal with me, still registered in UT because we have a house here, so no worries.

I would like to actually do the LS1 conversion on the thirdgen eventually.. best of both worlds in my opinion.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

not all too familiar with the LT1, i just hear the water pump and the opti are the main problems, havent heard too much else unless you know of something more?

only thing i dont like about TPI, is the limited stock power band, i would need to change the intake system to something that breathes like a super ram.. then again the LT1 is not all that great in that dept either.

bungo78

iTrader: (1)

It sounds like the needle is drifting towards the Camaro. When it comes down to it. Of course each will have it's up's & downs... However, I have always believed that when a fiery beast prowls down tha road and it's a 3rd gen... It just feels right

Adrian

KNBlazer

well then in that case, go with the 3rd gen... I have also heard that the optispark is a major PITA all around...

vtwinsroc

iTrader: (1)

yes I had an 93 z28 for awhile went thru three optis in a year an ebay cheepie, ac delco, msd , and they all sucked

KNBlazer

what seems to be the problem with the Optis? is it that moisture seeps through or what?

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Hello Dave:

As you may had read, we have made great strides in TPI performance.

I for one, would never consider the LSX option for a 3rd gen but to each his own.

With the cost to do that you can make a really strong 3rd gen TPI. (mine is mild, but 370-410)

As far as the LT1 T-56, you can use them in the 3rd gen but it is not the best option. As you know we have one in Kevin's car.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Don>>>

Windowsrookie

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with the Trans Am. Don't listen to anyone about the LT1. The LT1 is a great engine, the optispark usually lasts 100,000 miles or more. Replacing the optispark and waterpump is easy, it'll just take a day to replace it because of all of the stuff you have to remove to get to it. People that hate the LT1 are the same people that hate the 305, and honestly the 305 is a perfectly good engine too.

With everything that's done to that Camaro, it's still probably not putting out much more power than the LT1. Fourth gens also have nicer interiors, the drivetrain seems to be more solid, and better engineered too. Most of the problems with thirdgens were fixed with the fourth gens.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

there he is... hey Don!! i was down in CA about a month ago, i stopped by your shop but i think you were out at lunch... sorry i missed you.

Yeah this past week i have been trying to do some reading on what you guys have been doing lately, seems like a lot is going on and you guys have certainly increased the HP ranges while keeping smog legal.

im definately leaning more toward the thirdgen, i miss my old car, love the body style, this time there are several things i will do better.

Plus, in about a month im taking a job at CHOC (Childrens Hospital of Orange County) as one of their new P.I.C.U RRT's.. so i would definately be coming around more and being active in the SoCal thirdgen scene if i buy this car.

Good to hear from you, hope all is well with your family.

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Hi Dave. Good to hear from you.

"Plus, in about a month im taking a job at CHOC "

Well in that case the 3rd gen. : As Don said we can make that 3rd gen scream.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

Heeey its Allen... good to hear from you too...yep.. i think i know which way to go now.. i just wanted to have people help push me in the right direction.

Jeremy Z28

iTrader: (5)

Coming from someone that's owned several 3rd gens and a few 4th gens, I would just look at both, drive both and see which one you honestly like the most. In the end its all what makes you happy. Keep in mind our opinions here will be a little biased...you could always try posting this on LTXtech.com or even LS1tech (there are some LT1 guys there) and see what they say about the comparison.

You have obviously owned at least one of each yourself, so you make the call. Personally I feel the 3rd gen is more stable and solid, especially through turns. The 4th gen body just has a very heavy feeling to it while behind the wheel. I was not as confident in my 4th gens compared to my 3rd gens while hittin the twisties. But in the end you can always make anything handle better with suspension mods. At least the TA is hard top, which is even more rare in a 4th gen, so that will aid in handling as well since its more structurally sound as opposed to a T-Top car.

As far as people bagging on the LT1 motor, these people have probably never owned an LT1 and have only "heard" things. They commonly go over 200K and my ex-girlfriends bolt-on LT1 ran like a bat out of hell with 160K, a slight miss, and blown header gaskets, and was smashing on LS1 cars with similar setups to hers no problem. As far as overheating, as with any car, if you simply follow the basics to a cooling system and keep your **** in order, you wont have much to worry about, but that goes for about almost any system on your car - that's just basic mechanics. And about the optispark, yes is not the greatest design in the world, but they are not hard to change, at least in my opinion. As long as you use an OEM AC Delco replacement or better, it will last a ridiculously long time. My ex's car had the original unit still in place. As far as the guy that said you had trouble with the OEM and MSD units, maybe it was just your luck of the draw. GM also switched to the vented optispark in 1995 (I believe) that helped aid in prolonging its lifespan.

Either way I suppose you cant go wrong, they are both cool cars. Looks like the IROC has most of the 91-92 GFX as well which looks cool. Keep the TPI and mess around...when it blows you can always follow in my footsteps.

NT-Z

I would go with the Camaro. Theres nothing like the style of a 3rd gen. I would only buy a 4thgen if it were an ls1 powerd car. Other than that its just a waste of time and $. goodluck

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

yeah this will be my 6th Fbody.. ive had 2 thirdgens and 2 LS1 fbodies.. and 1 V6 4thgen (my very first car)

Z28FAST1

I'm biased for the LS1's, you can get a complete LS1 w/ low miles these days for $1,800-$2,200 (w/all accessories and ecu) add another $1000-1500 for swap parts and misc. and you have a reliable engine putting down about 350 rwhp/360 rwtq w/o aftermarket heads, cam, or even headers!!!!!

I don't know what the cost would be to get a TPI to make comparable numbers but OC is definitely the leading place for TPI performance.

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

Fourth gen cars are a pain in the *** to work on. Third gens are much easier to deal with in that regard.

$2,200+$1,500 in swap parts =$3,700.00 and it will be a pain in the *** to swap in compared to an SBC. Or you can throw that $3,700 into the TPI engine and do just as well if not better for less effort.

KNBlazer

just by looking at 4th gens, I would also agree that it's a PITA to work on... most if not everything must be done from beneath...

Guest

Hi Dave,

Here's my thought. The 4th gen is still depreciating in price, while most 3rd gens are approaching the classic 25 year old mark and are on the price increase side.

Dean

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

Heeeey its Dean... and you're not banned... good call on that one.

///DAN///

iTrader: (1)

I would go with the camaro I had a 94 z28 and it was a huge PITA it only had 50,00 on it and the opti spark crapped out twice in the 2 years i had it not to mention all the other B.S. ignition problems it had as well , besides 3rd gen's are cooler!

Gr89RS

iTrader: (5)

Like others said, between a clean thirdgen and an LT1 fourthgen, id get the thirdgen. Now, if it were an ls1 t56 fourthgen for similar price (which you can find, i did), i would get that.

But between these two, iroc.

Z28FAST1

Have you swapped an LS1? I've done both and can say its as much of a pain as a SBC, also, a 17 year old kid on here did in his garage!!!!

It might look intimidating at first but its a lot easier than most would think. Wiring is made simple w/ a stand alone harness, the engine and tranny bolt right up w/the conversion mounts. The hardest thing is adding the 4th gen lines and fuel tank.

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

i have to agree with this... i helped out on a 91 camaro RS to LS1 swap about a year ago... wasnt all that bad... the fuel system and some wiring had us swearing a bit, but we got it done in about a weeks time. Since ive done it before, i wouldnt mind doing one for me now since i know what im up against... and i know where to get the LS1/t56 combo for $2800...including the PCM and wiring..

it intimidates a lot of people do swap a completely different engine and harness.. The TPI is a good engine.. but you just cant beat the gas mileage and performance capabilities of the LS engines.

Dyno Don

iTrader: (7)

Yes you can and I do ....370/410 -23 MPG -clean smog test- low 12's in the 1/4
And I would much rather look under my hood than one of those.

KNBlazer

amen brotha'...

bungo78

iTrader: (1)

Adrian

supermariobros

I vote for the third gen. Like everyone else said, if your gonna get a 4th gen get a ls1 4th gen. Third gens look really good when they are in good condition and they handle REALLY good, I had a 01 bird and now a 89 bird and love them both. Personally if you have money lsx/t56 in the third gen and you'll have a really good handling, super streetable car easily capable of 500whp with a stroker, some heads and and intake. I plan on doing a ls1/t56 swap on my car one of these days too.

Z28FAST1

Careful w/the LSX swap, you might give the older folks on here heart attacks lol!!! Let me know when you're ready for the swap, me or my bro could lend you a hand.

I'm running my "bastardized" car May 30th @ LA Invasion, you should cruise by.

92purplehaze

iTrader: (8)

If you make them mad enough they're gonna start putting tpis in 4th gens

Z28FAST1

Lol, this comment made my day.

I retract my vote, get the 4th and swap in the TPI!!!!!!!

87WS6

iTrader: (1)

I doubt its been done. Not that anyone should, but its probably not been done.

KNBlazer

lol... actually I would do that if I were to get a 93-97 3rd gen... hmmm... that actually doesn't sound too bad...

Jason89RS

iTrader: (2)

Sadly it probably wouldn't be smog legal.

KNBlazer

nope ... I just don't understand these monkeys in Sacramento... I'd say... if it passes the sniffer then you're good to go... for all they should care is if the annual registration fee was paid or not...

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

K guys i think i found my car..

92 B4C 1LE
Hard Top
89k miles
145mph cluster
was white, repainted black
17" Torque Thrust II wheels
T56 swap from a 96 Z28
5.0 TPI
Edelbrock manifold
Magnaflow exhaust

yeah im making the deal on tuesday... and the price.... well... lets just say CHEAP $3k .. which will allow me to swap in a nice 355ci short block...

owner bought the car from the actual police auction in 95, even still has the shotgun holder..

anyways, deal should be done tuesday... will post pics once its home.

Duane's 91 Z/28

iTrader: (1)

Congrats on the find. Cant wait to see the pics!!

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like a good find. The shotgun holder is the big selling point for me.